NRM MP Primaries To Be Held For 2Days

By Our Reporter
A tentative program tabled before NRM CEC chaired by president Museveni, indicates that the ruling party is planning to hold it’s primaries for MP flag bearers based on regions.This if passed by CEC  puts a different from the current system where primaries have always been held at ago Nationwide.According to the program accessed by this site, the NRM EC boss Tanga Odoi suggests that the elections will be held first in the regions of Northern, Karamoja and Eastern on the 22nd of September this year. After this, the NRM primaries will resume on the 25 of the same month this time covering the remaining regions of Buganda, Kampala and Western.It is not clear why the party has opted for this method but experience shows that the primaries have always been marred with irregularities thanks to confusion and lack of proper policing. With this new strategy, it is widely expected that the primaries will be calm as there will be more security presence on the ground. It is also revealed that the NRM fears infiltration by opposition groups in case the elections are held at ago.Because of alleged irregularities, many losers have ended up contesting as independents. But to cure this, the party’s EC has planned for reruns. In this regard, the program shows that the issue of petitions, conflict resolution and reruns is going to be held between the period of September 26 to October 8.It is after this process that between October 9 to 10 that a full list of MP flag bearers will be handed to the NRM SG for endorsement and mobilization.In the face of COVID-19 threat, the NRM is also planning to hold it’s national conference. This is being proposed to take place between October 5-6 in line with the party’s constitution under Article 11(3). In the National conference, they will among other things elect the NRM presidential flag bearer, elect league chairpersons and MP flag bearers for special interest groups such as workers, PWDs and youth.”Conflict resolution, residual elections, petitions, tribunal hearings and possible re-runs will take place between 26 September and 8th October” the program by Tanga says.NRM CEC sitting yesterday nominated three other people in what was seen as a reshuffle of it’s staff at the Secretariat.Prominent among the sacked staff included long serving director for finance and administration Hajji Hassan Ggaliwango whose sacking was described by top leaders in Bugisu sub-region as ‘very unfortunate’ to them.Ggaliwango’s sacking however, has been attributed to his wife’s alleged rebellious conduct. Connie Nakayenze Ggaliwango, the woman MP for Mbale district is among the team of 29 NRM MPs who opposed the lifting of the presidential age limit. She has since faced a rough time in the party though according to political pundits in Bugisu she remains popular on the ground.She faces NRM chairperson for women’s league Lydia Wanyoto besides other candidates from opposition. Watch the space!